PCLinuxOS Br Edition MATE

A Brazilian Portuguese localized version of PCLinuxOS with the MATE desktop environment

editor's review

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changelog

PCLinuxOS Br Edition MATE is an open source Linux distribution built around the traditional and lightweight MATE desktop environment and based on the well known PCLinuxOS operating system.

The main target audience of this project is the entire Brazilian Linux community. It supports only the Brazilian Portuguese language (except for the boot prompt and keyboard layout selector, which are in English).

Multiple editions are available for download on Softpedia, with the full-featured KDE, Razor-qt, LXDE, and Enlightenment desktop environments, as well as the minimal IceWM and Openbox window managers.

Availability and boot options

This MATE flavor is distributed as a hybrid and single Live DVD ISO image. It can be written to a USB thumb drive or a blank DVD disc. Default boot options include the ability to start the live environment with default settings, without boot splash, in safe graphics mode, on in failsafe mode.

In addition, users can drop to a shell prompt using the Console option, copy the entire Live DVD to RAM (system memory) ejecting the boot medium, or install the distribution without testing it (not recommended).

Users will be asked if they want to change the keyboard layout from the get-go. It is also very important to mention that certain tasks will require the use of the root account, which uses the root password. A guest account is also provided and it uses the guest password.

Beautiful desktop environment, great open source applications

As mentioned, the desktop environment is powered by the MATE project, a clone of the old-school GNOME 2 desktop. It comprises of a transparent taskbar located at the bottom edge of the screen, from where users can access the main menu, launch apps, interact with running programs, and access system tray functions.

Bottom line

In conclusion, PCLinuxOS Br Edition MATE is a great and astonishing distribution of Linux, designed from the ground up to support only the Brazilian Portuguese language and engineered to transform old and dusty computers into modern workstations.